Jejudo: Island of Fantasy
Jejudo is Korea's largest and most famous island, a hundred kilometers off the southern coast. It is an island province of about 1,825 square kilometers with a population of about half a million.
Renowned for its romantic tropical image and unique culture, Jejudo is a favorite destination for honeymooners and tourists (there are direct international flights from China and Japan). The island enjoys a mild marine climate, four distinct seasons with an average yearly temperature of 150C (600F). In the summer, temperatures range from 220C (720F) to 260C (800F). Mt. Hallasan, its 1,950-meter snow-covered peak visible from every point on the island, is a long-extinct volcano.
Because of the remoteness, perhaps, ancient practices and beliefs on the island have been continued to this day, with shamanism rituals that are still relevant to the local people's way of life. Replicas of primitive stone carvings are sold as souvenirs.
On Jejudo island live the strongest women in the world. Diving for shellfish and abalone year round, these divers range in age from the early teens to well past 60 years and their indifference to winter's frigid blast and icy water is a legendary wonder among visitors. They can remain underwater three to four minutes at a time, and work at depths of up to 18 meters.
The Hendrik Hamel Monument was built in honor of a Dutch sailor who was shipwrecked on Jejudo in 1653 together with 37 shipmates. He spent 13 years in Korea before he managed to make his way back to the Netherlands. He published a record of his travels in Korea, the first Westerner to document life in the Hermit Kingdom.
The Jeju Folklore Museum has a fine collection that portrays the island's unique customs. The Jeju Folk Craft and Natural History Museum features a significant assembly of folk crafts, tools, and equipment, as well as plants, animals, and minerals that are native to Jejudo. A special garden, Mokseogwon, displays artistically shaped natural stones and dried tree roots.
A volcanic cone crater on the island's eastern trip is Seongsan ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak), an exceptionally beautiful one of 360 extinct parasite volcanos scattered over the island. A trail leads up to the western edge and scales the steep slope; the crater's edge is a fantastic perch to watch the sunrise. About 35 kilometers southeast of Jeju City is Seong-eup Folk Village, which has been designated as a Folklore Preservation Zone. Tourists can meet the friendly island people who still live behind stone courtyard walls in thatched-roof rock homes. Manjanggul Cave is situated on the northeast cost. At 13.4 km it is the longest lava tube in the world.
The spacious Jungmun Resort is a 20-minute drive west of downtown Seogwipo on the Jejudo south coast. An integrated tourism and recreation center, the resort adjoins the beautiful Cheonjeyeon Falls and pretty white beaches. Many sports, recreational and accommodation facilities are being built in the 1.7 million square meter area. The international resort is under continuous development with deluxe hotels, a golf course, oceanarium, botanical garden, shopping complex, traditional-style sea village hotel, park, tourist information center and many other facilities.
Sunrise Peak (Seongsan Ilchubong) , Jeju
Attraction type: Geological formation; Ballet
Hamdeok Beach , Jeju
Attraction type: Beach
Cheonjiyeon Waterfall , Jeju
Attraction type: Waterfall
Halla Mountain and National Park , Jeju
Attraction type: Mountain; Forest; National park
Seongeup Folk Village , Jeju
Attraction type: Historic village
Dragon Head Rock (Yongdu-am) , Jeju
Attraction type: Landmark/point of interest; Geological formation
Cheonjaeyeon Waterfall , Jeju
Attraction type: Waterfall
Jeongbang Waterfall , Jeju
Attraction type: Waterfall
Jeju Folk Village , Jeju
Attraction type: Battlefield
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